Izumi didn't explain anything further.
After chatting briefly with the girls, he casually used his spatial ability to return them to where they had been standing moments before. With a light farewell, he and Aiba Asagi turned and left.
Only after they were gone did Saten Ruiko tilt her head curiously toward Misaka Mikoto.
"So, Mikoto… you're interested in modern magic too?"
They hadn't known each other long, but thanks to Mikoto's insistence, they were already on a first-name basis.
Mikoto nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah. I am."
She clenched her fist slightly, sparks of excitement flickering in her eyes.
"If I can get inspiration from magic, maybe I can develop new techniques."
Her voice carried a rare eagerness.
"If I combine it with my Railgun… it might become even stronger."
Just imagining it made her pulse quicken.
She had to learn it.
Saten and Uiharu Kazari exchanged a glance.
She really is serious about this…
Then, without wasting another second, Mikoto leaned forward slightly.
"Ruiko, Uiharu—teach us what you know about magic."
"Let's do a quick study session while we have time."
Saten's eyes instantly lit up.
Teaching a Level 5?
That sounded amazing.
"Leave it to me!!"
She grabbed their arms enthusiastically.
"Let's go to a café and talk properly!"
And just like that, the four girls headed off together, settling into a nearby café where Saten and Uiharu began explaining everything they knew about modern magic.
...
Meanwhile…
Izumi and Asagi were already on their way back.
As they walked side by side, Asagi glanced at him with suspicion.
"You're really going to bring Misaka Mikoto into the lab?"
"If she sees Dolly… won't that shock her?"
Izumi simply smiled.
"It's fine. I never planned to hide it anyway."
He placed his hands in his pockets, tone casual.
"She should know."
Then, a mischievous grin crept onto his face.
"And I'm curious… what kind of expression she'll make when she finds out she has twenty thousand little sisters."
A chill ran down Asagi's spine.
"…You really are twisted sometimes."
She sighed.
"Let's just hope she doesn't break."
Izumi only chuckled.
The following day, Mikoto and the others arrived together.
The moment they stepped inside, they encountered Mugino Shizuri.
Mugino glanced over—and immediately clicked her tongue.
"…Third Rank."
Mikoto frowned.
"…Meltdowner."
Tension sparked instantly between the two Level 5s.
But surprisingly, Mugino didn't press further. She simply snorted and walked off, holding a stack of documents.
Mikoto watched her go, clearly annoyed.
"What's with her attitude…"
Still, she chose not to escalate things.
The others, however, were stunned.
So this is what Level 5 rivalry looks like…?
Before things could get awkward, Izumi appeared.
"Uiharu, Saten—you two continue your magic lessons."
"Shirai, come with me. I'll have Asagi run some tests on you first."
"Got it, onii-sama!"
Shirai Kuroko practically bounced as she followed him.
Izumi then turned his gaze toward Mikoto.
"You—come with me."
"I'll introduce you to someone."
Mikoto blinked.
"…Someone?"
She hesitated—but followed anyway.
They walked in silence.
The deeper they went, the quieter it became.
Finally, Izumi stopped in front of a large door.
"We're here."
He placed a hand on the handle, then glanced at her.
"When you see who's inside…"
"Try not to be too surprised."
Before she could ask anything else—
Click.
The door opened.
Bright light spilled out from within.
"…Go on."
Mikoto hesitated for just a moment—
Then stepped inside.
The door closed behind her.
What she saw—
Made her entire body freeze.
Standing there…
Was a girl.
A girl with chestnut hair.
A girl with familiar eyes.
A girl—
Who looked exactly like her.
"…What…?"
Her pupils shrank violently.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Before her stood—
Another Misaka Mikoto.
"——!?"